Kaffee and Kuchen Germany- Traditional German Cake Recipes

The tradition of Kaffee and Kuchen (cake and coffee) on Sunday afternoons is wonderfully ingrained in the culture. Cakes and Tortes, baked from Traditional German Cake Recipes are familiar favorites. Cakes made with real cream, fruit, chocolate, nuts and streusel make their appearance every week, mid-afternoon, as a nice treat after a walk or nap are served with a mellow German coffee on good china. This is a treat to be savored, a time for family and friends to sit together just enjoy life. Whether you bake your own, or buy them from your favorite Bakery, the hardest part is choosing which one you want…. with so many to choose from, what are the Best German Cakes for your Kaffeklatsch?

1. Frankfurter Kranz

Frankfurter Kranz- photo courtesy of Wikipedia

The Frankfurter Kranz appeared in Frankfurt around 1735 and symbolizes a crown with cherry Jewels. The cake itself is a sponge cake, baked in a Bundt or Gugelhopf form, cut into 3 horizontal layers, then filled and frosted with a rich buttercream. A caramelized hazelnut topping adds crunch and delicious flavor. Although it requires a little extra work, this is one of the easier Tortes to make. This cake was a special treat when we visited mom’s friend Hannelore (we kids had to wait until the adults had their fill, then we could have some… if there was any left!)

2. Donauwellen (Schneewittchen Kuchen)

Donauwellen- photo courtesy of wikipedia commons

Donauwellen, literally “Danube Waves” is a sheet cake that gets its name from the layered waves that you see when you slice into it. Chocolate and vanilla cake are marbled before baking, and topped with a vanilla cream and tart cherries. Once the cake has cooled, a rich layer of chocolate glaze goes across the top. The cake’s other name Schneewittchen Kuchen comes from that combination of dark and light, with cherry red, for lips). I was so excited when My Tante Annemarie, who looks like Schneewittchen, make us delicious cake, and gave me her recipe.

3. Apfel Kuchen (Apple Cake)

Apfelkuchen photo courtesy of Wikipedia commons

There are probably as many variations on ApfelKuchen as there are bakers. Versunkener Apfelkuchen, Sunken Apple Cake, where slices of apple are places on the dough before baking so they sink in to the cake and ApfelStreuselkuchen, Apple Streusel Cake, where the apple is covered with Streusel. Served simply with a sprinkle of powdered sugar or dash of real whipped cream, this classic cake is a treat any time of year. This cake was always on our Kaffee Klatsch table.

4. Bienenstich (Bee Sting)

Bienenstich photo courtesy of wikipedia commons

Legend has it the baker who originally baked a Bienenstich was stung by a bee that was attracted to the sweet smell of this favorite cake. This sheet cake is topped with a layer of baked on caramelized almonds slices. After cooling, the cake is sliced horizontally, filled with sweet vanilla pastry cream. My dad’s favorite!Find the recipe here–>http://www.germandeli.com/Recipe-for-Bienenstich-2

5. Pflaumen kuchen (Plum Cake)

pflaumenkuchen photo courtesy of wikipedia

When Zwetschgen (an oval Italian plum) are in season, Pflaumenkuchen shows up everywhere from the corner bakery, to the Konditerei… and with good reason. The delightful contrast between cake and slightly sour plum topped with either sugar crystals or streusel makes a delicious cake that isn’t as rich or heavy as a cream torte. To me, it tastes like Summer.

6. Blitz Torte (Lightening Cake)

Cherry Blitz Torte

The name Blitzkuchen is not because the baker was struck by lightning… rather, because of how FAST this “fancy” cake is ready. Two layers of simple cake baked with a meringue topping are filled with whipped cream and possibly fruits like cherries or gooseberries. It’s an unbelievably easy cake to make, but looks like you slaved for hours. This delicious simple recipe comes from my Tante Anne.

7. Kaese Sahne Torte ( Cheese and Cream Cake)

photo courtesy of Markus Tacker https://www.flickr.com/photos/tacker/

Consider Kaese Sahne Torte a perfect hybrid of Cheesecake and a whipped cream cake. A creamy, delicious 2-3 inch thick filling is tucked between two thin layers of cake. It may look like a heavy calorie bomb, but in actuality, this cake is light enough to make you consider taking a second slice. Or a third.

9. Obst Boden (Fruit Flan)

Obstboden photo courtesy of Wikipedia Commons

An Obst Boden must be the most versatile cakes in the German Bakery. This simple sponge cake is baked in a special Boden / Flan pan, and is filled with whatever fruits you have on hand…. everything from a mound of strawberries to a rainbow of layered slices of mandarin, banana, mango, cherries, grapes and even poached fruit. Top that with a glaze of melted jam, or a layer of Torten Guss (thin layer of Gelatin to keep the fruit fresh). It’s refreshing and beautiful.

10. Apfelstrudel (Apple Strudel)

Apfelstrudel photo courtesy of Wikipedia commons

Apfelstrudel is the dessert everyone automatically thinks of when they are thinking dessert in Germany. Thin and crispy layers of flaky pastry are wrapped around thinly sliced apples, raisins and sugar. Perfect with a schlag of whipped cream and a steaming cup of coffee. Added bonus, there is so much fruit in a strudel, you don’t have to feel guilty about having a second piece. Making the pastry from scratch at home is best left to experts… use store bought Phyllo dough for easy resultsFind the Recipe here–> http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/cinnamon-apple-strudel-recipe.html

11. Streuselkuchen (Streusel Cake)

Streuselkuchen is the perfect cake for Streusel junkies like me (I can’t tell you how many times mom had to slap my hands when I picked streusel off the still cooling cake). The layer of cake is mostly there to hold the streusel in place until you get it to your mouth. Sweet, rich and crunchy, this simple combination of flour, sugar and butter just melts when you bite into it.

Comments

used to work at the medici in chicago hyde park owner german, there were 2 cakes, grandmas and mamas first a loaf, bits of chocolate, lemon raisins, best first day mamas was a dense plain cake, possible walnuts, i don’t think poppy with a light lemon glaze familiar love to know what they were besides cakes his mama made roots in Germany

Just wanted to thank you for your lovely article and for including links to my website. I’ve been enjoying following you, both here on the blog and on your Facebook page. Keep up the great work, helping to spread our German culture!

German Festivals And Events In North America

Upcoming Events

Get a Box of German Goodies Every Month! Use the code GERMANGIRL for a 10% discount

Share Your German-American Story

Quizzes

Helpful German Genealogy Links

Affiliate Disclosure

The owner of this site is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com as well as other retail websites. We do not promote products we do not own or would not buy ourselves. Our goal is to provide you with product information and our own personal opinions or ideas for any given product or category. You should always perform due diligence before buying goods or services online. The Owner does not accept payment or merchandise from manufacturers in exchange for writing reviews.